Ida Larsen, 11, left, and her brother Henrik, 9, both of Marquette, drop off toys Friday at The Mining Journal for the Cheer Club. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

From left, Aria LaMere, 6; Ryan Gravelle, 2; and Stella Huddle, 8, bring in toys to The Mining Journal Dec. 18 for the Cheer Club. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

Tessa Hubbard, 9, of Marquette brings toys to The Mining Journal’s Marquette office Dec. 18. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

Bothwell Middle School staff members smile with gifts they donated to the Cheer Club Dec. 20. The group has made it a traditional to hold a collection for the Cheer Club as part of it’s Secret Santa gift exchange in December, organizers said. (Photo courtesy of Bothwell Middle School)

From left, The Mining Journal Publisher Jim Reevs and AFSCME Local 1852 Treasurer Adam Diedrich hold a $1,650 check the AFSCME Local 1852 donated to the Cheer Club Dec. 20. AFSCME Local 1852 members include over 140 employees from the city of Marquette, Marquette Township, Peter White Public Library, Marquette County Landfill and the Marquette Housing Authority. The group has donated over $25,600 to local charities over the years, organizers said. The Mining Journal’s Cheer Club started collecting unwrapped toys and gifts Nov. 23 to be donated to local children and families in need during the holiday season. Gifts can be dropped off at The Mining Journal’s offices in Marquette or Ishpeming, as well as the Salvation Army’s offices in Ishpeming and Marquette. Gifts will be distributed to local families through St. Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army of Marquette County in December. (Journal photo by Cecilia Brown)